Date: February 20, 2026
Time: 1-4 PM
Modality: Zoom
Presenters: Allison Gibson, PhD & Rickeah Henderson, MSW
This is a virtual course, and will take place over Zoom.
A link to this virtual course will be sent one week prior to the event.
$45.00 SLU Alumni and pre-registered SLU practicum instructors
$65.00 All others
Title: Ready & Resilient: Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults and Self Care for Professionals and Family Members
*Meets Diversity Requirements (1.0 CEH)
Learning Objectives:
Identifying optimal response strategies for preventing confusion and anxiety during emergencies for older adults with dementia and cognitive impairments and their families
Planning for, and practicing self-care by managing stress, avoiding burnout, and seeking emotional and community support for older adults, families, and professionals affected by natural disasters
Apply lessons learned from real-world examples addressing the needs of older adults with complex care needs to personalized emergency plans, with specific attention to environmental risks and support that may erode during times of natural disasters.
Course Description: Are you, your aging parents, your workplace, and that housebound elder you worry about that lives alone, ready for the next ice storm, tornado, flood, or wildfire? Victims of disasters like these, especially those who lose their lives, are overwhelmingly older adults. This CE presentation highlights the critical role family members, clinicians, and social service professionals play in preparing older adults and families, especially those with disabilities, cognitive impairments, and/or social isolation, for natural disasters. Many families with vulnerable older adults lack the necessary information, resources, and planning strategies for disaster preparation; therefore, this CE will cover risk assessment, emergency contacts, evacuation strategies, and medical and mobility support that will require planning by families and guidance from professionals. Moreover, older adults struggling with dementia and cognitive impairment pose special challenges for families, and planning emergency care that is senior-friendly for these individuals, whether you are an out-of-town family member or a local social service professional, is stressful. Best practices for sheltering, effective communication, and the role of clinicians and professionals in aiding post-disaster recovery will be illuminated by case examples. The CE will equip participants with self-care strategies for professionals and families as well as practical tools, including checklists and emergency plan templates, to enhance the preparedness, safety, and well-being of older adults during disasters.
Bio: Dr. Allison Gibson is an Associate Professor at Saint Louis University (SLU), School of Social Work and the SLU Family Center for Healthy Aging. She is academically trained as a gerontological clinical social worker, which has prepared her to conduct clinical intervention research with older adults and people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). Dr. Gibson currently serves as a co-convener for the Gerontological Society of America's special interest group on disasters and older adults. She is passionate about empowering caregivers and social work professionals with the tools and knowledge to protect older adults in disaster and emergency events.
Rickeah Henderson, MSW, is an alumnus of Saint Louis University, where she served as a graduate assistant engaging with aging populations and older adults. While in the MSW program, she collaborated on community initiatives, provided cognitive behavioral screenings for older adults, and facilitated caregiver support groups. Passionate about aging services, Ms. Henderson is dedicated to enhancing disaster preparedness for older adults and their caregivers.
Price:
$65.00